January 20 / 14.02 Leicester

14.02

Good To Soft

Kube – Leicester’s Premier Events Venue Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qual’) (GBB)

  • Prize money: £7393.4
  • 2m 6f 151y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Kube – Leicester’s Premier Events Venue Handicap Chase (Challenger Staying Chase Series Qual’) (GBB)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

5/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.30
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 340P-3

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 12lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 125

Form & Verdict
Useful hurdler who was contesting his first chase since 2023 when very respectable third on this month's seasonal debut at Ayr (2m4f, soft); could still be on a good mark over fences; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

6

17th Apr 2026

Soft

2m 4f 110y

Class 2

15:30 Ayr

Jipcot

10st 12lb

J: Jonjo O’Neill Jr

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Well beaten in the Plate last month but Cheltenham may not be his track; comfortably made all in small field at Leicester (2m6f, good to soft) in January and led into the straight at Ascot (3m, good to soft) in February, only to weaken; also effective on soft; could be involved.

9/1

13th

16

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jipcot

10st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Jonjo & A J O’Neill

Four hurdle wins; made just a so-so stab at chasing in late 2023 but he was footsure when making all at Leicester (about 2m6f, good to soft) in January and perhaps the 3m trip counted against him when trying to justify an 8lb rise at Ascot since; should have more to come over fences at some stage but this looks a tough call; yard also runs Peaky Boy.

14/1

9/2

  • Place: £3.00

Form: 17-712 CD

Last run: 30 days

W: 11st 0lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Dual C&D winner on soft ground; returned to form with clear success in refitted visor at Lingfield (2m6f, good) in November and last month's second over that C&D (good to soft) was perfectly respectable; current mark probably demands a career-best effort but he still warrants serious consideration on return to this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

21st Mar 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 30y

Class 3

14:15 Bangor-on-Dee

No Tackle

10st 11lb

J: Toby McCain-Mitchell

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Won in a refitted visor at Lingfield (2m6f) in November and runner-up on next three outings, which represents career-best form; still on a fair mark and drying ground won't bother him at all.

9/2

2nd

3

12th Feb 2026

Heavy

2m 4f 25y

Class 4

15:50 Leicester

No Tackle

11st 8lb

J: Liam Harrison

T: Robbie Llewellyn

Two-time course winner, the latest here (2m6f, soft) last February, and got back on the scoresheet at Lingfield (2m6f, good) in November; runner-up on both starts since (2m6f, good to soft; here last time); solid candidate.

7/4

Form: -12111 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 1lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
Much-improved 9yo who scored here (2m4f, good to soft) just after Christmas and is now 4-5 for Gary Hanmer since October; another 7lb higher today but this stiffer stamina test won't faze him and it's hard to tell when his progress will level off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

22nd Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 210y

Class 2

16:27 Carlisle

Heeztheboy

11st 4lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Progressive for new stable, winning four times, until form dipped sharply in last two outings; has seemingly gone off the boil and may be in the assessor's grip now to boot.

16/1

3

24th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 1f 54y

Class 4

16:00 Catterick

Heeztheboy

11st 7lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Gary Hanmer

Tailed off at Leicester (2m6f, good to soft) last month but highly progressive for new yard previously, winning four times (2m4f/3m, good to soft/heavy); no surprise if he bounces back with a big performance.

13/2

Form: 15/44- D

Last run: 452 days

W: 11st 8lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 121

Form & Verdict
Thorough stayer, absent since placed in big field at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October 2024; resumes on a good mark and with new headgear tried (usually blinkered) but is entitled to benefit from this outing.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

18th Feb 2026

2m 7f 171y

Class 4

15:35 Ludlow

Landen Calling

11st 11lb

J: Mr Lucas Murphy

T: Fergal O’Brien

Fourth of 18 at Cheltenham in October 2024 and he's now 8lb lower; however, this 10yo has run just once since, when tailed off at 33-1 at Leicester last month; needs to prove how much ability he retains.

14/1

4th

5

20th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:02 Leicester

Landen Calling

11st 8lb

J: Jonathan Burke

T: Fergal O’Brien

Thorough stayer, absent since placed in big field at Cheltenham (3m1f, good) in October 2024; resumes on a good mark and with new headgear tried (usually blinkered) but is entitled to benefit from this outing.

12/1

4th

4

25th Oct 2024

Good

3m 1f 0y

Class 3

15:35 Cheltenham

Landen Calling

12st 0lb

J: Mr H D O’Dwyer

T: Fergal O’Brien

All out to win last season's 3m3f Lincolnshire National at Market Rasen over Christmas; back from a break with a respectable show at Punchestown in May and this is his type of race; possibilities.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 3/F-P6

Last run: 55 days

W: 12st 0lb

10 yo Gelding

OR: 127

Form & Verdict
Fell on only appearance last season and didn't fire on either hurdling start this autumn (albeit not beaten that far on latter occasion); very well handicapped on old form but has quite a bit to prove on first chasing start since spring 2023.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

20th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:02 Leicester

Lac De Constance

12st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Fell on only appearance last season and didn't fire on either hurdling start this autumn (albeit not beaten that far on latter occasion); very well handicapped on old form but has quite a bit to prove on first chasing start since spring 2023.

9/1

Form: 3P-F41 C

Last run: 20 days

W: 11st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 123

Form & Verdict
Quite lightly raced and has very mixed record over last couple of years but was back in good nick when winning at Warwick (3m, good to soft) three weeks ago, when he idled on the run-in and was probably value for more than the bare margin; subsequent 4lb rise is manageable and he also has a C&D win on his CV; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

1

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 136y

Class 4

14:50 Chepstow

Happy And Fine

12st 1lb

J: Jack Hogan

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m, good to soft) in December but he's failed to complete in three subsequent runs and didn't get very far at Stratford (unseated at first) two weeks ago; only 2lb lower than for his last success but he comes with risks attached.

12/1

3

28th Mar 2026

Good

2m 6f 125y

Class 3

14:47 Stratford

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Scored at Warwick (3m) in December but he isn't the easiest to catch right and was pulled up in 2m7f handicap at Newbury last time; others are preferred.

10/1

4

17th Feb 2026

2m 7f 91y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Happy And Fine

11st 7lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Alex Hales

Back to form when winning for a third time over fences in a 3m handicap at Warwick (good to soft) and would have won easier had he not idled late on; unseated midrace off this 4lb higher mark at Leicester three weeks later; respected.

10/1

Form: P-P1P2

Last run: 21 days

W: 11st 9lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 122

Form & Verdict
Inconsistent this season but won in first-time blinkers at Newcastle in November and looked unlucky not to add to his tally at Haydock (also 2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago, when a last-fence error was costly; up another 4lb for that but could have more to offer if in the right mood again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

11

14th Feb 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 203y

Class 3

13:28 Haydock

Taras Halls

11st 0lb

J: Callum Bewley

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Resumed winning ways in first-time blinkers at Newcastle (2m4f) in November but very in and out since, pulled up in 2m6f Leicester handicap chase 25 days ago; he's not easy to warm to today.

14/1

4

20th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 3

14:02 Leicester

Taras Halls

11st 9lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Inconsistent this season but won in first-time blinkers at Newcastle in November and looked unlucky not to add to his tally at Haydock (also 2m4f, good to soft) three weeks ago, when a last-fence error was costly; up another 4lb for that but could have more to offer if in the right mood again.

9/2

1

31st Oct 2025

Good

2m 3f 207y

Class 4

14:30 Uttoxeter

Taras Halls

12st 0lb

J: Gavin Sheehan

T: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith

Won over fences here (2m4f, good to soft) on New Year's Eve but began this year with two disappointing runs; reverts to hurdling after 261-day break and with usual cheekpieces missing; others have much less to prove.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £19.90
Straight Forecast £19.04
Trifecta £62.70

Selections

RP RATINGS:

No Tackle

SPOTLIGHT:

Jipcot

The Sun:

Heeztheboy

Telegraph:

Taras Halls

The Star:

Heeztheboy

The Times:

Jipcot

D Express:

Jipcot

TOPSPEED:

No Tackle

POSTDATA:

No Tackle

The Guardian:

No Tackle

Daily Mail:

No Tackle

Daily Mirror:

No Tackle

Daily Record:

No Tackle